A British couple who had been living in France for a decade were found dead in their home, prompting a major police investigation. Authorities have labeled the deaths as a homicide, but the circumstances remain unclear.
Discovery of the Bodies
Andrew and Dawn Searle, a married couple in their 60s, were discovered in their home in the hamlet of Les Pesquiès, near Villefranche-de-Rouergue, on Thursday. A concerned neighbor, who had expected them for a scheduled dog walk, went to check on them and made the grim discovery around 12:20 PM.
Mayor Jean-Sébastien Orcibal confirmed that the deaths were “clearly a homicide” but dismissed early speculation of a burglary gone wrong. Notably, no weapon was found at the scene, adding to the mystery surrounding their deaths.
A Quiet Life in Rural France
The couple had relocated to France from Scotland about ten years ago, settling in a peaceful, rural area north of Toulouse. Originally from England, Mr. Searle had spent years working in financial crime prevention at institutions like Standard Life and Barclays Bank. His wife, Dawn Searle, hailed from Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders.
Before moving to France, the Searles lived in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh. They were well-liked in their village and regularly hosted neighbors for social gatherings. In the summer of 2023, the couple tied the knot, with Mr. Searle donning a kilt for the occasion.
Son Callum Kerr Pays Tribute
Mrs. Searle was the mother of actor and country musician Callum Kerr, known for his roles in Virgin River on Netflix and as PC Kiss in Hollyoaks.
Kerr had walked his mother down the aisle when she married Mr. Searle last year. Reflecting on the moment in a social media post, he wrote: “Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle. What a pleasure. I love you mum.”
Ongoing Investigation
French authorities have launched a full-scale investigation, with forensic officers combing through the crime scene on Thursday. Specialist police teams from Toulouse have been brought in, and the area surrounding the Searles’ home has been cordoned off.
A helicopter, a drone, and criminal investigation technicians were deployed to gather evidence. The Rodez prosecutor, Nicolas Rigot-Muller, is overseeing the case but has remained tight-lipped about the details. He stated that an autopsy is scheduled for Monday and that investigators are still determining the exact cause of death.
No Criminal Case Opened Yet
Despite the confirmation of homicide, no criminal case has been formally opened as authorities work to piece together what happened. At this stage, police have not identified any suspects, and there is no preferred theory on how the couple died.
The UK’s Foreign Office has acknowledged the incident and is providing support to the Searles’ family while liaising with local authorities.
Community in Shock
Les Pesquiès is a small hamlet with around 100 residents, many of whom are expats. The couple was described as friendly and well-integrated into the community. Their sudden and unexplained deaths have left locals stunned and deeply unsettled.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to release further details following the autopsy. For now, the quiet rural community of Les Pesquiès is left with more questions than answers.
